A water main break overnight caused most of the city of Emporia to lose water service for several hours Thursday. The break has been repaired, but it will take time for the entire water system to be fully restored.

The loss of pressure also created a contamination hazard. Tap water must be boiled for at least one minute before being used for drinking or food preparation.

Matt Keith, with the Department of Health and Environment, says the boil water advisory affects more than just the city of Emporia.

Wichita’s Lower Arkansas River wastewater treatment plant has seen significant cost savings since upgrading its ultraviolet disinfection system last year, its supervisor says. The plant is now able to treat more wastewater, which is then released into the Arkansas River.

Last year, the treatment plant switched from a medium ultraviolet treatment system to a high-intensity, low-pressure system.

City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to increase the drainage fee rate for all Wichita customers, with residents bearing more of the cost increase.

Right now, all customers are charged $2 per month, with commercial property owners paying an additional fee based on their amount impervious surface -- property where water can't soak into the ground. The new system will charge a base rate of $1.50 per month, and begin charging residents based on actual square footage of impervious surface.

The City of Wichita’s water rebate program, now in its 5th year, begins on Monday.

The city is offering residents across Wichita cash rebates if they purchase devices—such as dishwashers and toilets—that conserve water. A low-flow toilet, for example, can earn a household up to $100 from the city. Other eligible items include rain barrels, irrigation controllers and clothes washers.

Don Henry, assistant director of public works and utilities, said Thursday that the rebate program helps the city conserve water in case of a drought down the road.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order Tuesday directing the Environmental Protection Agency to revise a controversial environmental rule opposed by many Midwest farm groups.

Trump ordered new EPA administrator Scott Pruitt to formally revise the Obama Administration’s 2015 Clean Water Rule, also known as the Waters of the U.S. Rule, which was meant to explain which rivers, streams and creeks are subject to regulation by the EPA.

A federal court has sided with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and against environmental groups in a case the groups had hoped would hasten water clean-up efforts.

The Gulf Restoration Network and environmental groups from Mississippi River watershed states argued the EPA needs to enforce more specific water quality standards. But, on appeal, a U.S. District Court ruled the Clean Water Act leaves that authority to the states.